National Auto Body Council® Announces Winners of 2025 NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Awards
NABC® Award Recognizes John Hamdan and Anne Kolea from Dynasty Auto Body and
Bob Waldron from CARSTAR Waldron’s for Community Leadership, Philanthropy
PORT CHARLOTTE (November 6, 2025) –- The National Auto Body Council® announced the NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award winners for 2025 at the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards event on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, and honored them as part of its 2025 NABC® SEMA Celebration on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
The NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award recognizes the individuals in the collision repair industry who have delivered exemplary service in the NABC® mission of Changing and Saving Lives Every Day, far beyond their role in the industry.
For the first time, there was a tie of two amazing winners for the award — John Hamdan and Anne Kolea, owners of Dynasty Auto Body in New Jersey, and Bob Waldron, owner of four CARSTAR locations in Massachusetts. Both are true champions of their communities with long legacies of giving back to need both small and large. Read More…
Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania Named Winner of 2024 National Auto Body Council® Community Partner Award
PORT CHARLOTTE (July 9, 2025) –- The National Auto Body Council® announced the recipient of the inaugural NABC® Community Partner Award, which recognizes NABC® charitable partners who are doing outstanding work nationally or in their local communities.
The recipient is the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, based in Pittsburgh, PA. The vision of Veterans Leadership Program is that every veteran of the United States Military reach their fullest potential as citizens of the Nation that they have so proudly served. They serve all who served, regardless of VA eligibility, discharge status or length of service. They have successfully made an impact on over 8,000 Veterans annually in 30 counties across Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. From housing and career development to wellness and supportive services, Veterans Leadership Program is helping Veterans reach their fullest potential. Read More…
About the NABC® Awards
The National Auto Body Council® annually presents two awards to the collision repair industry — the NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award and the NABC® President’s Award, which formally recognize individuals and companies for their leadership of and commitment to improving the collision repair industry. It also announced a new award for 2024 – the NABC® Community Partner Award, which will recognize NABC® charitable partners who are doing outstanding work nationally or in their local communities.
NABC® President’s Award
The NABC® President’s Award is designed to honor the NABC® member company that supports the vision of the National Auto Body Council® through donation of their time and resources. Companies will be nominated by the NABC® Board of Directors, and member companies at all levels of NABC® membership are eligible. The winner will be named at the Second Annual NABC® Gala in Palm Springs, and will be recognized on the lifetime traveling trophy. In addition, the NABC® will make contributions to a philanthropic organization in the recipient’s honor.
NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award
The NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award recognizes the individual in the collision repair industry who has delivered exemplary service in the NABC® mission of Changing and Saving Lives Every Day, far beyond their role in the industry. Individuals may be nominated by a member of the NABC® Board of Directors or by the public. This award is presented annually during SEMA, and the recipient will receive an engraved trophy to signify their accomplishments. In addition, the NABC® makes a contribution to a charitable organization in the recipient’s name.
Deserving individuals may be nominated for the NABC® Changing and Saving Lives award by a member of the NABC® Board of Directors or by the public. The nominee should demonstrate the following criteria:
- Enthusiasm for giving back to the community
- Viewed as someone who enriches their community
- Partnership or tie with local community
- Willingness to volunteer
- Commitment to helping others
- Exemplifies the integrity and professionalism of collision industry professionals
- Went above and beyond during a time of crisis or peril to provide support and assistance
NABC® Community Partner Award
The new NABC® Community Partner Award recognizes the charitable organizations or leaders who are working with NABC® programs such as NABC® Recycled Rides® and NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) to serve their communities. Criteria for the award include charity be a registered 501(c)3 serving military members, veterans, individuals or families in need, or first responders; has participated in either a NABC® Recycled Rides® or NABC F.R.E.E.™ event in the last 24 months, and organizations should be apolitical in nature. The charity selected for the award will receive a $500 monetary award from the NABC®. Charities can be nominated by collision repair facilities and vehicle donors that have taken part in an NABC® event in the past two years, as well as by the NABC® program directors for each program. Nominate a qualified charity here.